Before the SOLDIERS retired to their room some two hours later, they gathered into a room on the far end of the inn, as far away from Sephiroth as possible. Even then, they spoke in hushed whispers, constantly glancing around their shoulders.
"Did you see that?"
"How could that be?"
"No one can touch the Masamune except-…"
"I think Sephiroth was as surprised as us, that's why he's so pissed off!"
"I'd hate to be her in the mornin'. She's still our guide…"
"Hush!" Ash said suddenly. "Enough speculation. You all know exactly how it happened. You're just afraid of it."
"But, sir, we don't know for certain…"
"Does Sephiroth know?"
Stunned silence followed this implication. If he knew…
"We're going to find out. Look, here's what we're going to do. On the way to Shinra HQ, Sephiroth will leave to stop at…oh, wherever the hell he goes, but he always does. That will leave us with the girl. Knock her out, tie her and get her to HQ before Sephiroth does. Professor Hojo will cover the details."
It all seemed too simple. "Alright," the men agreed.
"What if Sephiroth finds out what we're doing? This is mutiny!" One whispered shrilly.
"He won't. He can't, if we're to live…and the girl."
Silence. "But…" One ventured the question on everyone's mind, but no one dared to speak. "What if she is…"
"Then we'll kill her quickly." Ash said, and his eyes were hard as flint.
Sephiroth pound his fist into the wall, breathing heavily. No. It can't be. It just can't be. He sat down on the bed, running one hand though his long hair. He remembered. Oh, he remembered it all. And it pained him. But it all made too much sense. The sword, her knowledge of the Ancient's names, those eyes. She even looked like…
Sephiroth sheathed his sword. Dawn lit outside his window, and Sephiroth sighed. Suddenly, he opened the door, stomping down the hall, though every shred of his anger had been snuffed. He still wanted to look as though he was in control, though his mind span. I am Sephiroth, he said with his every step, as though he screamed it. I have conquered armies. I have the knowledge of the Ancients, I am their superior. None have ever stood against me. Men know me and fear. But the words no longer brought him the comfort they once had.
His men saluted smartly, and Rhia cringed at his sight. Drawing himself up to his full height, Sephiroth glared at her for a moment, until Rhia squirmed under his intense scrutiny.
"All right. Move out!" He barked, keeping his icy mask.
For the first time in his life, he felt old.
Laying a hand on the hilt of his sword, it passed quickly.
"S-sir?"
Sephiroth glanced down, and gave a good-hearted laugh to see the grimy boy from the tavern, holding his camera hopefully. The boy smiled shyly, his big eyes shining with almost a reverence as he snapped several pictures.
"Thank you." He stammered, gushing. "Thank you very much!" He scampered off.
The train bellowed.
"Well. Shall we go?" Sephiroth said.
Rhia followed, as she had done all morning, muscled tensed, at a safe distance, and ready to run at the drop of a hat.
The train was cramped, but smelled pleasantly of old hay and cedar. From what she could tell, Rhia surmised this was a cargo train, rather than a passenger one. Sephiroth sat on one of the boxes, staring straight ahead. His men did the same, leaning against walls or plopping right down on the floor. Rhia sat in a corner, dressed in a loose top and shorts for the heat in this region, and wondered not for the first time how Sephiroth stood it in that black leather cape, gloves, boots, and armor, although minimum.
Of course not. He's the Great Sephiroth. He doesn't need any armor. Rhia thought sardonically. I guess his cold heart keeps him cool. Ignoring the prick of straw against her leg, Rhia absently pulled out the double katanas she strapped to her back, and instantly felt much better for having a weapon in hand. The movement caught Sephiroth's attention, and she sheathed her swords quickly, afraid he might read it as a hostile gesture. He smirked and sat silently, lost in thought as the train rolled steadily on.
Suddenly, a loud banging was heard on the side of the train, followed by a loud roar. Rhia screamed and jumped to her feet, but Sephiroth calmly stood and drew his sword. At once, all eyes riveted on the awesome weapon. "Grand Dragons." Colbey said. "About six of 'em. I'm afraid we've hit a nest. It won't be safe to just plow through, like we're doing."
"I'll take care of it." Sephiroth said, in his infuriatingly calm manner, and opened the cargo door, which revealed the landscape disappearing rapidly and in the distance six of the most enormous lizard like monsters Rhia had ever seen.
As almost a greeting to this man who dared challenge their strength, the titans bellowed in a horrifying cacophony, each with the voice of a hundred roaring bulls. They breathed fire out of their tiny nostrils, and their wings battered the ground. Rhia gasped, sinking to the ground, but Sephiroth turned back to the men.
"Bye." And with that, he jumped off the moving train, sword drawn.
The others slammed the doors shut. Once safely secured, the men each looked at each other and nodded. A sinking feeling grew in Rhia's stomach. She did not like the way these men were looking at her. She drew her katanas, unsure what she could do against four SOLDIER, but determined to defend herself.
She didn't even get the chance. A swift blow from an iron cudgel caught her temple, and Rhia slid the dark waters of unconsciousness without a ripple.
Sephiroth stood, unflinching, as rain began to fall over the grassy plains, and the dragons hesitated, unsure of themselves. Why wasn't this human running? Bellowing into Sephiroth's face, showing teeth like machetes, one finally sent a stream of white hot dragonfire to torch this tiny human who dared oppose them. Anticipating a meal, the others pounded forward, surrounding him.
In the dragonfire, which scorched the very rock and ground around him to charred ash, Sephiroth stood, raising his arms as if welcoming a simple ray of sun on his face. Bathed in the flames, he once more lifted his sword. This would be fun.
AN: Hey! Know what's even more fun! Reviewing! Go do it! And tahnk you soooo much for those who have done so!